Improvement in locks for cigar-boxes



H. SILB'EBMAN. Lqck for;Cig ar Boxes.

Patented Sept. 28,1875.

- N-FETEHS. FHOTO UTHOGRAP WASHINGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY SILBERMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN LOCKS FOR CIGAR-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 168, l 12, dated September 28, 1875; application filed September 13, 1875.

To all whom it mag concern Be it known that I, HENRYSILBERMAN, of

the city of New York, countyand State of New York, have invented an Improved Lock for Cigar-Boxes, 860., of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of a cigar-box provided with my improved look, when open. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the perforated top plate. Fig. 3 is a plan view of such plate before it is applied.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

This invention has for its object to produce a lock for cigar-boxes, whereby the same may be securely closed and easily opened, and which shall be less expensive than the cigarboxes now in use.

The invention consists in combining with the front of the cigar-box an upwardly-projecting hook and a mortised or perforated plate, which is attached to the lower side of the recessed cover- The perforated plate has two projecting spurs, whereby it is fastened to the cover of the box. In closing, the hook enters the mortise in the perforated plate, and thereby locks the cover down. The lock can be opened by slightly pressing the front that carries the hook inwardly, so as to bring the hook in line with the mortise of the plate.

1n the accompanying drawing, the letter A represents a cigar-box of usual or suitable construction. B is the cover, hinged thereto in the ordinary manner. Into the upper edge of the front a of the box isscrewed or driven a hook, I), that projects above the upper edge of said front a. This hook is made with a of the cover B by means of prongs or spurs d, that pass through the cover B. They are, on the upper side of the cover, bent down, so that they will firmly attach the plate 0 to the under side of the cover. This plate 0 is mortised at or nearits center. The cover B is recessed directly above the hole of the plate 0, this recess extending over part of the plate 0, in front of the hole therein, to. allow the hook I) to catch over the uncovered portion of the plate 0.

To close the box, the cover B is pressed down, which causes the hook b to enter the mortise in the plate 0 and the recess 0, and finally to catch over the uncovered portion of the plate a under the influence of the natural spring of the front of the box. The box is opened by pressing the front ainwardly, there by bringing the hook b in line with the mortise in the plate 0, and allowing the'cover to be readily swung open.

It will be observed that by this invention the spring of the box-front is utilized for holding the box properly closed, and the employment of a separate spring thereby dispensed with.

I claim as my invention- In combination with the cigar-box front a and hook b, projecting therefrom, the perforated plate c, having the prongs d, and the box-cover B, having the recess 0, all arranged so that the box can only be unlocked by springing the front a inward, substantially as described.

H. SILBERMAN.

Witnesses:

E. O. WEBB, A. MORAGA. 

